Along with my trip in August to the Upper West Side, Theodore Roosevelt Park, was on my to do list. I have to say, I was quite impressed. So many folks do not realize that New York City has so many fabulous parks. One is better than the next. This spot proved to be such a relaxing place, and a good way to escape the craziness that is New York City.
Is this not zen or what?
This Upper West Side park surrounding the American Museum of Natural History is named to honor Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919). Roosevelt served as New York City Police Commissioner, Governor of New York State, Vice-President under William McKinley, and following McKinley’s assassination, the youngest man to serve as President of the United States.
- Sculptor: A. Lindberg (portrait medallion)
- Architect: Sivert Lindblom
- Description: Retangular four-sided stele with attached bronze medallion; engraved with names of American laureates
- Materials: Vanga red granite (rough-hewn, Sweden), bronze, Swedish absolute black granite
- Dimensions: H: 11'6"; Medallion Dia: 3'5"
- Cast: 1999
- Dedicated: Oct. 14, 2003
- Foundry: H. Bergman, Sweden
- Donor: Merck Company Foundation
- Inscription: North side:
ALFRED NOBEL / 1833-1896 / [MEDALLION] / FOUNDER OF / THE NOBEL PRIZE / SWEDISH INVENTOR / INDUSTRIALIST / PHILANTHROPIST / AND HUMANIST /
West side:
Names of American Nobel laureates from 1906-1979
South side:
Names of American Nobel laureates from 1980-present. At bottom: A GIFT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK FROM THE MERCK COMPANY FOUNDATION / CREATED BY SIVERT LINDBLOM 2002 /
All sides at top: PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, / MEDICINE, LITERATURE, / PEACE, ECONOMICS /
When you find places like these, you feel you are anywhere else but New York City. How lucky are those that live on the Upper West Side to enjoy this gem of a park!!
I loved those colors in the distance and had to get closer to see what they were exactly.
It is bamboo plants with lights inside them!! How darn clever is that?
This must be really lovely at night!
The New York Times Capsule
- Inscription: (on plaque): THIS IS THE TIMES CAPSULE, DESIGNED BY / SANTIAGO CALATRAVA, CREATED BY THE NEW / YORK TIMES AND PLACED AT THE AMERICAN / MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN 2001. / THE CONTENTS ARE INTENDED TO OFFER / INSIGHT INTO DAILY LIFT TODAY. WE ASK THAT / IT REMAIN SEALED UNTIL JANUARY 1, 3000.
In 1979, the City Council enacted a law naming the northwest portion of Theodore Roosevelt Park "Margaret Mead Green" in honor of the distinguished anthropologist. Mead (1901-1978) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but spent most of her life in New York City. She graduated from Barnard College with a BA in psychology (1923), and then studied with Franz Boas (1858-1942) and Ruth Benedict (1887-1948) at Columbia University where she earned her doctorate in anthropology (1929).
Ms. Mead worked as a research fellow and curator of ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History from 1926 until her death in 1978. She was elected president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and several other professional organizations. She received 28 honorary doctorates. One year after her death, Mead’s scholarship was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the United States grants to a civilian. The Museum commemorates Mead with an annual festival of anthropology films and videos in the spring. Mead's only daughter, Mary Catherine Bateson (1939-), is an anthropologist and English professor who has written and co-authored eight books and serves as the current president of the Institute for Intercultural Studies
This park area is a lasting tribute to a woman whose legacy of groundbreaking scholarship and progressive social consciousness endures beyond her years. This park is appropriately situated between the Museum tower that once held Mead's office and the apartment building on 81st Street where she lived for many years.
The Friends of Museum Park, a neighborhood organization, has helped to maintain Margaret Mead Green in the past. In 2000, the Margaret Mead Green was renovated along with the rest of Theodore Roosevelt Park. In addition to a new irrigation system, the paths and lawns were restored, and new benches were added. Beds of native wildflowers and new groundcover enhance the natural beauty of the Green. With the help of Parks & Recreation, the Central Park Conservancy, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Friends of Museum Park, Margaret Mead Green’s future will be greener than ever.
So, how soon will you be visiting this park next time you are in the area of the Upper West Side?
Columbus Avenue between 81st Street and 79th Street
New York City, NY 10024
Nearest Transit Station:
81 St. - Museum Of Natural History (A, B, C)
79 St. (1, 2)
86 St. (A, B, C)
Today's Words of Wisdom: Believe you can, and You're Halfway There - Theodore Roosevelt
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